`CH_(3)CH_(2)OH overset("Ethanoic acid")to`Compound, Z
Number of hydrogens in compound, Z is

Explanation

To solve the problem, we need to determine the number of hydrogen atoms in compound Z, which is formed by the reaction of ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) with ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH).

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**:
- Ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) is an alcohol.
- Ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) is a carboxylic acid.

2. **Write the Reaction**:
- When ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst, an ester is formed through a condensation reaction. The general reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{Ethanol} + \text{Ethanoic Acid} \rightarrow \text{Ester (Z)} + \text{Water} \]

3. **Determine the Structure of Compound Z**:
- The ester formed from ethanol and ethanoic acid is ethyl acetate (CH₃COOCH₂CH₃).
- The structure can be broken down as follows:
- The ethyl group (from ethanol) is CH₃CH₂-.
- The acetate group (from ethanoic acid) is -COO-.

4. **Count the Atoms in Compound Z**:
- The structure of ethyl acetate (Z) is:
\[ CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ \]
- Now, let's count the hydrogen atoms:
- From the CH₃ group: 3 hydrogens
- From the CH₂ group: 2 hydrogens
- From the other CH₃ group: 3 hydrogens
- Total number of hydrogens in compound Z:
\[ 3 + 2 + 3 = 8 \]

5. **Final Answer**:
- The number of hydrogen atoms in compound Z is **8**.